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One imagines when a group has "Deluxe" in their name, there's an expectation to live up to for any deluxe edition they should release. Just as Be Bop Deluxe's prior deluxe edition releases did, Modern Music meets and exceeds all expectations you ever dream of. Featuring a fresh sounding remaster, a new stereo mix of the album, 2 live discs, and, for those of you with a copy of the physical release, a phenomenally mixed surround sound disc (possibly their best surround sound mix yet!), the 1976 BPI-certified Silver album is refreshed without losing any of the nostalgic charm the album aimed to compile in it's then-modernity. First, the original album. Side 1 of Modern Music runs the gamut of mid-late 70s musical pastiches, with it's AOR-styled Orphans of Babylon and Bring Back The Spark, sweet sounding pop tunes Kiss of Light and ballad The Gold At The End Of My Rainbow, rock standout Twilight Capers, interluded by the theatrical The Bird Charmers Destiny. The album then flips over onto a celebration of where the modern music of the time seemingly all began, a mini pop-opera much in the vein of the first ever released ten years prior, The Who's 1966 mini-opera A Quick One, While He's Away, themed around radio much as The Who's 1967 follow-up The Who Sell Out was, complete with radio chatter opening and closing the collection. Modern Music's mini-opera centers through metaphor around an unnamed narrator inspired by radio to enter the music business, only to have to deal with the feeling of alienation along the way. This was inspired by Be Bop frontman Bill Nelson's experience during the band's first time touring America, unimpressed with the differences the real-life US and it's record executives had to offer compared with the way it's represented in pop culture. The "Modern Music Suite," as it were, moves unstopping from one song to the next, as the narrator seems to miss his connection with a secondary character, possibly his homeland, while he dances lost in the moonlight of the neon world, fights "Uncle Sam Humanoids" (featuring an impression by drummer Simon Fox of one of the groups real life American A&R representatives, buried in the backdrop), and returns to reprise the side 2 opener in as radio-friendly of a tune Be Bop Deluxe possibly has ever recorded. The album then moves into the retro-styled Forbidden Lovers, followed by the pop epic Down On Terminal Street, which would later become 15 minute concert staple of the group on the Modern Music tour. Finally, the album closes with Make The Music Magic, an acoustic semi-psychedelic tune guaranteed to pop up in your head at least a little bit once you've heard it. The Deluxe Edition includes a Be Bop B-side, an all-time jazz fusion instrumental titled Shine, originally credited to "Funky Phaser And His Unearthly Merchandise," a one-off name for the group minus bassist Charlie Tumahai, as well as early versions of the tracks Forbidden Lovers and The Bird Charmers Destiny. Those the latter two of these tracks don't offer much on their own, but they're refreshing as glimpses into the barebones of a Be Bop Deluxe track; The Bird Charmers Destiny especially for featuring Nelson's solo vocal and closing laugh at his own falsetto. On the next disc is a BBC Radio recording of Be Bop Deluxe in concert at the Hammersmith Odeon. Similar to other live recordings of the group, it's very technically well performed, and the London polite society applause audible on the FM transmission serves well to the atmosphere, turning a track like Adventures In A Yorkshire Landscape into a true-to-life Bennie And The Jets, but it seems to serve as something to warm you up for the earth-shattering disc which follows it; Be Bop Deluxe: Live in Chicago, recorded 7 months prior. While the Chicago show may not feature any Modern Music tracks, it very well may be one of the most electrifying live performances I've ever heard by any four-piece band, fidelity be damned. And that's no short list! The simple stereo mix, and each member's performance, seamlessly drags you into feeling as though you, listener, are standing there in the Riviera Theatre. As a matter of fact, the admittedly lower quality of the recording gives an ever-so-slight amount of distortion to keyboardist Andy Clark's organ, only serving to add to the rock edge of the performance. No man on stage steps on another's toes, and all seem to seamlessly fill in any spaces they could possibly round out the sound. In no way could I ever overstate how on fire this performance is. I have listened to this show 20 times in its entirety so far. I have listened to Blazing Apostles from it at least 40. It is so good it is almost overwhelming. They build you up and tear you down over and over, with an audibly cool confidence throughout. They must have known how good this show was while it was happening, because not only does Charlie Tumahai serve as hypeman to Bill Nelson repeatedly during the concert, but after 7 ripping numbers the band strikes while the iron is hot and launches into the impromptu Bill's Blues in the city arguably most famous for the genre. Step aside, Bloo Blooz; 5 years has served to only heighten Nelson's ability to perform in the style tenfold. And just when you think it couldn't possibly get any better, this performance of Blazing Apostles is perhaps the greatest rock recording of the 1970s. Even the tape dropouts add excitement. The half-time refrain in the song is one I deeply lament not being featured on performances of it afterwards. At one point, Charlie Tumahai triumphantly proclaims "The town of Chicago knows how to rock and roll!", and the musical events which unfold out of that statement I can only describe as emotionally akin to the feeling of slamming on the gas pedal after 10 hours in traffic. From this moment there is still 11 more minutes of the song to unfold, each as satisfying as the last, capped off by what sounds like Tumahai smashing his bass on the stage, in a whirlwind of percussive and atmospheric feedback. So, you may ask, what was the purpose of this writing exercise? I bought a new keyboard and wanted to break it in. And where else could I have even put this?

My son produced this one this afternoon. We thought some of you might like it.

I'm terribly late with this post, should have written it a while ago but have been distracted by my own concerns. However, I feel I must comment on the recent deaths of Kelly Joe Phelps and Julee Cruise. Kelly Joe Phelps was an amazing, soulful and sophisticated singer and guitarist who recorded some stunning and beautiful albums which I loved. I bought his 'Shine Eyed Mister Zen' album when it first was released, then got his 'Sky Like A Broken Clock' album. He was an amazing singer and guitarist, deep and inspiring. I wished I had been possessed of such talent. His death came as a shock to me, such a great loss. Around the same time I heard of the death of vocalist Julee Cruise who had worked with David Lynch on the 'Twin Peaks' soundtracks and other projects. Her voice was perfect for the atmospheres David was creating, a haunting, innocent yet knowing voice that said a lot with emotionally economic means. She once befriended me on Facebook. Once again, and all too often, all too soon these days, we lose special artists like these. The list of the cultural deceased is scary and marks the passing of qualities and values in the arts that are increasingly rare. But they are not forgotten by those of us who know and care...

Released on this day, in 2002. .

Well, Wats Your Top 10? ...Cum on, lets see em! In no particular order: • Slade - Slade Alive! • Be Bop Deluxe - Live! In The Air Age • Thin Lizzy- Live & Dangerous • Deep Purple - Made In Japan • Peter Frampton - Frampton Comes Alive • Wishbone Ash - Live Dates (first original one) • Wings - Wings Over America • UFO - Strangers In The Night • The Who - Live At Leeds • AC/DC - If You Want Blood

Astrophobia (J)...I miss you mate! This place has never been the same since you left. If by some chance you happen to read this, I hope you are well and doing good, and keeping floating above all the world negativity and seeming freefall downwards. Your pal, Nick.

There may have been a dedicated post uploaded about this subject but I can't find one so I'll try to explain what happened: Those who subscribed to a live stream of my 'Old Haunts' launch party in Leeds yesterday will have inexplicably seen a blank screen. Please accept our apologies for this. I personally wasn't informed that there was a problem until after the event was over but the fault was not caused by the Dreamsville/Nelsonica staff or myself. It was entirely due to the Clothworker's Hall technical staff who seem to have screwed the whole thing up big time. To say I was annoyed and upset by this would be an understatement, but there was nothing I, nor anyone else on the Nelsonica team, could do about it. We were entirely in the hands of the venue's technical staff whose job was to hook the event up to the streaming distribution company. They let us down spectaculary, along with those who wanted to watch the live stream. I must stress again that the failure was in no way connected with ourselves. I'm just as disappointed as everyone else. Nevertheless, the event was filmed and we will attempt to edit this into a useable form and make it available to all those who paid to watch the live stream. I'll post more information as I get it from Paul and Jon and let you know what's happening. Meanwhile, apologies again. This was something completely out of our hands and not at all what we were expecting to happen. I'm very, very sorry....

Only now seen the very sad news of Diana Rigg's death. I adored her when I was a teenager in the '60s and had her picture on my bedroom wall, along with Jean Shripton and Marianne Faithful. I watched every episode of 'The Avengers' that she appeared in and dreamt of meeting her and perhaps forming a relationship. Basically, I had a huge crush on her. She had a quality that really got to me. Apart from her '60s model looks she was an excellent actress, actually from Yorkshire. I'm very sad that she is no longer with us. Yet another icon whirled away...,

Very sad to hear of the passing of Dusty Hill, ZZ TOP's bass guitarist. He was just one year younger than me. I've long had a soft spot for ZZ Top, despite never owning any of their albums. Nevertheless I've greatly respected their musicianship and unique sound and style. My deepest sympathies to Dusty's family and to Billy Gibbons and Frank Beard, all of whom must be feeling the loss profoundly.

Hi fellow fans. Just so happens that the last few albums i've been listening to are non-vocal (Plaything, The Romance Of Sustain, Loom, The Awakening Of Dr Dream, Quiet Bells etc). Was wondering if anyone out there could share their thoughts on their favourite albums that fit into this category? Would really help to fuel & encourage my already obsessive passion with this music! Cheers Steve

Having a great night in ... pint of freshly delivered 5.3% Shining Clough with large Black Bush chaser, following up fab Strictly final with a bit of old Top Gear series 11 & now the first spin of early xmas present that is New Vibrato Wonderland ... also, while watching Bill Bailey dancing, thought of great new band name/Zappa instrumental title ... 'Winkleman's Fringe'! Currently most played albums The Unrealist, The Jewel, Chance Encounters & Plectrajet Bring on the new year - let's hope we're out of this mess & festivals can go ahead - have big plans for EOTR 2021!

Ordered. The samples sound sublime.

Bill has mentioned this (on FB) as one of his favourite albums. One to promote and recommend widely - it has so many classic, memorable tracks. Everyone seems to have different favourites from it. I especially love the title track and Windswept. Some of the most stunning guitar I've ever heard on this album, although you wouldn't call it a "guitar album" as such, it's just totally integral to the whole amazing groove! Return to Jazz of Lights - Bill Nelson

New CD release - now available for pre-order from - https://burningshed.com/store/billnelson/bill-nelson_all-the-fun-of-the-fair_cd(https://burningshed.com/store/billnelson/bill-nelson_all-the-fun-of-the-fair_cd)

In case you haven't received the newsletter... This is one of Bill's personal favourites, a fantastic instrumental album that has been unavailable for about 15 years!!! Doesn't time fly?!? Bandcamp are also waiving their commission today - from 8am today (Friday) until 8am Saturday morning (all times are BST).

A melancholy day for me as on 24th of August 1928, my Mother was born. She gave birth to me in 1948, just 20 years later. Emiko and Elliot and I drove to the cemetery in Wakefield today to lay flowers on Mum's 'mini-grave', though her ashes are still in safekeeping with the undertaker since her cremation in 2020. We're hoping to have her ashes placed in the grave soon, though as the Pandemic has delayed those proceedings for far too long. My eldest daughter Julia and grandson Luke were up from London for a couple of days so came to the cemetery with us. We had a brief drink outside the Kings Arms pub on Heath Common before all departing to our various destinations. I'm eternally and deeply saddened at the loss of my mother and I think of her every day. I remember all the things she did to nurture me when I was a child and all the support she gave me in later life. She was a wonderful, loving, and wise person. I still feel her loving presence in my darkest moments...

Just now heard of the death of Gary Brooker. main man of Procul Harum. Very sad news. Gary was 76, only three years older than myself. I bought two Procul Harum albums when they were first released in the '60s. He was a talented musician whose singing and keyboard playing contributed to the band's timeless hit 'A Whiter Shade Of Pale.' And so yet another fine musician leaves us. Rest in Peace Gart.

Just ordered an Astroluxe Cadet. Left hand. I'm very very excited!! I play leftie, and this will be a treasured possession forever.🎸❤️ Hope to get it soon!

Visions of endless hopes